A superb all-round display by India helped them register a comprehensive 82-run victory over Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 game. Batting first, India put on a mammoth 172 on board before bowling out Sri Lanka for 90. Harmanpreet Kaur was adjudged the Player of the Match’ award for her brilliant 52 off 27 balls. Let’s check out how things panned out in the India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024 match.
India vs SL ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 – Smriti, Shafali Blaze Away Sri Lankan Bowlers
India Women’s Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India retained the XI that won a crucial encounter against Pakistan by 6 wickets on Sunday. While Sri Lanka made one change as Hasini Perera made way to Ama Kanchana in the playing XI.
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma came with an intent to score runs quickly. However, India had to wait till 2.2 overs for the first boundary when Shafali chipped it over extra cover for a four. Shafali went on to hit two more boundaries in the next two overs before Smriti smashed Sugandhika Kumari for two back-to-back fours. The pair put on 41 in the first powerplay in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024. Smriti hit a six off Inoka Ranaweera the next over. It was India’s first six at the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024. The pair continued to pile on the misery for Sri Lankans by putting on 98 for the first wicket.
However, the confusion between Smriti and Shafali brought about the runout of the former in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024 game at Dubai. Shafali was out next ball as she attempted a flick on the leg side only to induce a leading edge off her bat to Vishmi Gunaratne at point. Chamari Athapaththu was the bowler. Smriti scored a brilliant 50 off 38, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Shafali scored 43 off 40 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Harmanpreet, Jemimah Take the Innings Forward in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024
Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues took the innings forward with a 30-run stand by picking singles and twos and hitting odd boundaries in between. Jemimah could not pierce a cut shot off Ama Kanchana as she hit it straight to Udeshika Prabhodani at backward point. India’s score was 128 for 3 in 16.2 overs at that point. It was then the Indian skipper Harmanpreet started opening her shoulders. She smashed Ama Kanchana, Chamari Athapaththu, Udeshika Prabodhani for boundaries on her way to 52 not out off 27 balls, taking India to 172 for 3 in 20 overs.
India Scalp Three Sri Lankan Wickets in the First Powerplay
Renuka Singh Thakur gave India the breakthrough in the first over as the substitute fielder took a skier at point. SL were 1 for 1 before they faced a body blow as their mainstay and skipper Chamari departed as she edged one off Shreyanka to Deepti Sharma at slip. She made just one as Sri Lanka looked out of sorts in this crucial Group A encounter. Renuka Thakur then induced an edge off the left-hander Harshitha Madavi to Richa Ghosh behind the wicket. Islanders were tottering at 6 for 3 in 2.1 overs in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024.
Anushka Sanjeewani hit the first boundary for Sri Lanka in the fourth over as she swept a wide ball off Shreyanka for a boundary behind the wicket. Islanders scored 28 for 3 in the first powerplay of the India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led Unit Pile on Misery for Sri Lankan Batters
Arundhati Reddy who came to bowl after the first powerplay was greeted with a boundary off the first ball. She smoked one into the mid-wicket region for a boundary before Kavisha Dilhari hit a four at deep mid-wicket. Shreyanka made a valiant attempt to take a catch but could not succeed in doing so. Anushka was, however, stumped as Asha dragged her length back and turned the ball away to Richa behind the wicket who took the bails off. Islanders were 43 for 4 and in deep strife in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024. Nilakshi de Silva raised Sri Lanka’s 50 by smashing Asha for a boundary in the mid-wicket region. SL reached 54 for 4 in 10 overs, requiring another 119 in the next 10 overs.
India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024 – Indian Bowlers Tighten Screws Further
Nilakshi de Silva and Kavisha were forced to take singles as Indian bowlers continue to trouble the batters. Sri Lanka caved in further as Arundhati Reddy bowled a slow delivery to deceive Nilakshi de Silva as she mis-timed a lofted shot which was taken by Shafali at point. SL were reduced to 57 for 5 in 11.2 overs. A couple of balls later, Renuka took a blinder at short fine leg to get rid of Kavisha Dilhari who scored 21 off 22 balls. Islanders were precariously placed at 58 for 6 in 12 overs in this India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024 game.
Asha Strikes a Couple of Wickets
Asha Sobhana struck in the 13th over as Sungandika Kumari got an outside edge while sweeping. Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh took a good catch diving forward, sinking SL further. 7 down for 61 in 13 overs, with virtually no chance of making a comeback into this ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 encounter. Another wicket for Asha in the 15th over as Inoshi Priyadarshani swept a delivery straight to Radha Yadav at deep mid-wicket.
India Wrap SL Innings for 90
Ama Kanchana smashed the first ball off the 17th over to a boundary at deep mid-wicket. She hit one more boundary in that over by lifting one over the mid-off fielder. Arundhati got rid of Ama Kanchana as the latter’s attempt slog one out of the park went in vain. Radha Yadav took another catch at deep mid-wicket. Islanders lost 9 wickets for 86 in India vs SL Women’s T20 WC 2024 encounter. Deepti Sharma took the last wicket to wrap Sri Lanka’s innings for 90. India won the game by a 82 runs, pushing their run rate ahead of Pakistan and New Zealand in the points table of Group A
